Putin and Xi's Reinforced Camaraderie: A Significant Global Player Duo Statements at Moscow Summit
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Leaders Putin and Xi affirm strong alliance during Moscow summit. - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping strengthen their strategic alliance in a formal meeting held in Moscow.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, and Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, have fortified their strategic bond during a meeting in Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Putin remarked, "In the midst of a tumultuous geopolitical climate and global uncertainty, the Russian-Chinese foreign policy union stands as the most critical stabilizing force on the international stage." The event drew no attention to the 2022 Russian intrusion of Ukraine as a factor intensifying the current situation. A joint declaration prompted debate.
Moscow, traditionally hosting a grand military parade on Red Square on May 9 to commemorate the end of the war, invited Xi as the principal guest, amid extensive disapproval from the West. This display of military might, paralleled with Putin's actions against Ukraine, garnered widespread condemnation.
China maintains a neutral stance in the Ukraine conflict, but faces international criticism for championing Russia's intervention - the Moscow meeting may further fuel these allegations.
Joint Declaration on Conflict Resolution and Opposition to Nuclear War
Both nations professed their support for political means in conflict resolution, eliminating not only the consequences but also the origins of crises. They advocated diplomatic dialogue and international involvement to resolve regional disputes, but it remained uncertain if this stance applies to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The two powers aim to intensify their collaboration to maintain and bolster global strategic stability and counter shared threats. They agreed to collaborate on preventing the militarization of space, as stated in the joint declaration: "Space shall not be used for militaristic confrontations." Experts believe that the US, along with Russia and China, are already working on the military application of space technology.
A rejection of instigating a new arms race followed this commitment. However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has fueled fears of escalation in former Soviet republics and ignited a reinforced arms race in numerous European nations, which went unmentioned.
Both parties assailed nuclear war. They pledged to uphold the joinder statement issued by the leaders of five nuclear-weapon states (Russia, China, US, France, and the UK) on January 3, 2022, aimed to avert a nuclear war and avoid a subsequent arms race. Since the onset of the Ukrainian conflict over three years ago, Russia has repeatedly threatened to deploy nuclear weapons.
Expanding Trade Horizons
According to Xinhua, the Chinese state agency, Xi expressed that their mutual trust with Russia had grown significantly amidst unprecedented global changes. China is a crucial market for Russian automobiles, and the People's Republic aims to safeguard the collective interests of both nations against "unilateralism and bullying," a term China employs in its trade disputes with the US. Unilateralism denotes a country's pursuance of its interests without taking into account its international partners or organizations.
China is a significant buyer of Russian resources such as gas and oil, serving as a significant source of funding for Putin's war chest. The Russian Energy Minister, Sergei Ziwiljov, responding to the EU's plans to phase out Russian gas by 2027, stated that Moscow would locate alternative buyers. Ziwiljov reiterated his belief that the Western sanctions imposed due to Russia's actions in Ukraine are unlawful.
- China
- Russia
- Moscow
- Xi Jinping
- Vladimir Putin
- Ukraine
- Nazi Germany
- USA
- Beijing
- World War II
- Kremlin
- Soviet Union
Insights:
The residence of Russia and China is marked by close strategic cooperation, although it falls short of forming a formal military alliance[1]. Recent interactions focus on deepening collaboration across various sectors and solidifying their comprehensive strategic partnership[2].
The joint efforts between Russia and China aim to address shared challenges on a global scale, while enhancing national development and international fairness through comprehensive coordination[2]. Furthermore, their strategic relationships extend to energy sectors and trade[4].
Both nations place emphasis on maintaining global strategic stability, especially in the face of emerging threats in space and nuclear realms. Joint negotiations are underway to establish a legally binding instrument based on the Russian-Chinese draft of the Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space[3]. This initiative demonstrates their commitment to upholding global security by avoiding militaristic confrontations in space.
- The joint declaration issued by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during their meeting in Moscow emphasized their support for political means in conflict resolution, advocating for diplomatic dialogue and international involvement to resolve regional disputes.
- Despite China's neutral stance in the Ukraine conflict, their support for Russia's intervention may further fuel international criticism and allegations against China.
- Another significant aspect of the joint declaration involved both nations' commitment to preventing the militarization of space, with a stated goal of avoiding space being used for militaristic confrontations.
- China, a crucial buyer of Russian resources such as gas and oil, aims to safeguard the collective interests of both nations against unilateralism and bullying, terms that China uses in its trade disputes with other countries.
